Hulu has announced the premiere date for ‘How to Die Alone,’ the new half-hour comedy series from Onyx Collective. Set to debut on September 13, the series is created, executive produced, and headlined by Natasha Rothwell. The series, which explores themes of love, self-acceptance, and personal growth, will launch with four episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday.
‘How to Die Alone’ centers on Mel, portrayed by Rothwell, a broke, fat, Black employee at JFK airport who has never been in love and has forgotten how to dream. An accidental brush with death sends her on a journey to start living life by any means necessary.
Joining Rothwell in the cast are Conrad Ricamora, Jocko Sims, and KeiLyn Durrel Jones as series regulars. Bashir Salahuddin will appear in a recurring role.
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Rory (Ricamora) loves to have a good time at all costs and is blind to his privileges — having been adopted by an über wealthy Upper East Side family. His father, the CEO of JFK, is embarrassed by Rory and his winding path in life. When his JFK crush, a bicoastal bae named Ben, shows interest in him, Rory finds himself experimenting with monogamy for the first time … and holding on for dear life.
Jones’ Terrance has a thirst for adventure that inspires Melissa. Their chemistry and his sense of humor keep Mel cracking up and hanging out with him on her smoke breaks. Mel is the brightest spot in his day, and he genuinely wants to help chase her dreams, but when he tries to hold her accountable, it sends her running in the opposite direction.
Sims’s Alex is the one that got away. For Alex, Melissa is the one who unceremoniously sent him packing. Engaged to be married but still working closely with Mel, Alex can’t help but audit what went wrong in their workplace situationship as he gets closer to walking down the aisle with his fiancée Julie.
Salahuddin recurs as Brian, Melissa’s holier-than-thou, know-it-all, CPA older brother. Unhappily married with two kids, he resents Melissa for her aimlessness and his mother for depending on him as “man of the house” but still finds himself helping them out, against his better judgment. It’s no wonder he needs a drink or two to help him unwind every night.
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The series boasts a strong creative team, with Rothwell and Vera Santamaria serving as co-showrunners and executive producers. Desiree Akhavan also serves as an executive producer. “How to Die Alone” is produced by ABC Signature in association with Big Hattie Productions.
